The Complete Vocabulary Builder Workbook by BETTER WORDS R. B. Skinner

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foreboding

noun

/fɔrˈboʊ dɪŋ/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of foreboding

A strong sense of apprehension, anxiety, or unease about future events or circumstances.
"The distant howls of wolves filled her with a sense of foreboding."

Detailed meaning of foreboding

It is a feeling or intuition that something negative or ominous is about to occur. Foreboding often carries a sense of premonition or a deep-seated belief that something unpleasant or threatening is looming on the horizon. It can manifest as a general sense of unease or as specific, haunting feelings of impending disaster or trouble. Foreboding can be triggered by external factors, such as ominous signs, unusual occurrences, or a combination of circumstances. It can also arise from internal sources, such as intuition or a gut feeling. Overall, foreboding represents a profound and often unsettling sense of anticipation or fear regarding future outcomes.

Example sentences containing foreboding

1. The dark clouds and eerie silence created a sense of foreboding in the air.
2. A feeling of foreboding washed over her as she entered the abandoned house.
3. The protagonist couldn't shake the sense of foreboding that haunted him throughout the story.
4. The sudden drop in temperature added to the foreboding atmosphere of the forest.
5. The old painting had an aura of foreboding, as if it held a dark secret.
6. The characters' foreboding expressions hinted at the impending danger.

History and etymology of foreboding

The noun 'foreboding' has its origins in Middle English, where it was known as 'forebodung.' This Middle English term was formed by combining 'fore,' meaning 'before,' and 'bodung,' meaning 'a foretelling' or 'a prophecy.' 'Foreboding' thus originally referred to a sense of apprehension or anxiety about future events based on foretelling or prophecy. Over time, it evolved to describe a strong sense of apprehension, anxiety, or unease about future events or circumstances, often with the implication of impending doom or negative outcomes. The etymology of 'foreboding' underscores its historical connection to the idea of foreseeing or predicting future events, emphasizing the unsettling and anxious feelings that can arise from such premonitions or anticipations.

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Further usage examples of foreboding

1. The sound of thunder and flashes of lightning intensified the sense of foreboding.
2. The empty streets and boarded-up windows created a scene of foreboding in the abandoned town.
3. The eerie silence before the storm gave her a feeling of foreboding.
4. The protagonist's dream was filled with images of foreboding, foreshadowing the challenges to come.
5. The detective couldn't ignore the foreboding in his gut, knowing that something wasn't right.
6. A sense of foreboding filled the air before the storm.
7. His dark prophecy cast a shadow of foreboding over us.
8. The eerie silence in the haunted house was deeply foreboding.
9. The foreboding in her eyes hinted at hidden troubles.
10. The news brought a wave of foreboding to our hearts.
11. The ominous clouds created an atmosphere of foreboding.
12. There was a palpable sense of foreboding in the room.
13. The foreboding in his voice made us uneasy.
14. The abandoned asylum had an aura of foreboding.
15. Her premonition carried a strong sense of foreboding.
16. The creaking floorboards added to the foreboding atmosphere.
17. The ancient prophecy filled him with foreboding.
18. The foreboding in the detective's gut signaled trouble.
19. A feeling of foreboding loomed over the impending decision.
20. The empty streets at night were filled with foreboding.
21. The isolated cabin had an air of foreboding about it.
22. His foreboding dreams often came true.
23. The foreboding music set the tone for the horror film.
24. The old graveyard gave her a sense of foreboding.
25. The foreboding sense of impending doom was inescapable.